Knowledgeable urban design fused with a clean digital approach and a mainstream appeal. Two heads cranking out lots of work for music/hip hop clients and more.ArtilleryDS (NY and NC).

Monday, December 29, 2003

Block Branding

Treading the line between whimsical and commercial, this design-minded studio, with strength in illustration, provides solid, yet playful solutions for advertising, branding, print, web and more. Block (Australia).

Cartlidge Levene

From annual reports to signage, editorial and much more, CL brings a passionate and experienced eye to each project. Strong work.Cartlidge Levene (UK).

Adobe Studio

Redesigned back in October by Cuban Council. Looks a little like k10k, eh?Adobe Studio.

Rizon

Another Belgian from the design collective of Duolog, Rizon Parein brings us a nice brown portfolio with some modern psychedelic print work, including motion graphics, and last but not least some really cool 3-D graffiti sketches and pieces. Waiting on the websites at this posting.Rizon.version03.2003 (Belgium).

Sonic Wire Sculptor.

A vibrant and engaging electronic, audio and visual sculpture from Amit Pitaru. P I T A R U .

Nate Williams

Having no money, traveling and eating excessive amounts of Ramen is the perfect accompanyment for this illustrator living in Argentina, Ecuador and Chile... and he's also doing some volunteer work. Hola.Nate Williams (South America).

Kozyndan

This totally queer couple based in Los Angeles dreams up and illustrates fantastic panoramas and posters that only a design freak would think of hanging on their wall. I must have one.Kozyndan (Los Angeles, USA).

One of the most creative interactive web sites we've seen this year. This cinematic storyboard and puppetry show par excellence takes you down the block with WeFail in a gritty black and white fantasy world. Independently, these guys are Martin-h and Sofake.WEFAIL.

talking with angels

Yes, we can use the word "nifty" here because each instance of Flash used in this site brings something original to the table. It's a short intro to a new movie, but designed without the repetitive feel of Flash beating down on your head.talking with angels.

Graphic Thought Facility

Graphic Thought Facility are a graphic design consultancy, working for public and private clients on everything from print to exhibition and brand applications. Solid work. Great site.Graphic Thought Facility (UK).

An indy designer from Chile, rocking a nice set of work for South American clients.H23 - Cristian Ordonez (Santiago, Chile).

Media Revolution

Updated over the years, Media Revolution is still pumping out the hot stuff for film, gaming and online advertising.Media Revolution.

BC Design

A great print, collateral and brand identity shop. Love the clean, sparse line work of the website frame and simple presentation of the portfolio and company info.BC Design

JustDesign

A 'flat' indy portfolio (no Flash, no floating nav bar, no sound) with just graffiti and illustrations. Great range of hand-styles and down and dirty art compositions.JustDesign.

White Dunk

They already spend all their time thinking about it, so why not invite 25 japanese artists to revisit the pervasive Nike "Dunk" sneaker?White Dunk.

sobasic

Previously Taiyup.com, this personal folio 'speaks' a particular visual language, and lets you rapidly absorb it through an easy Flash interface. sobasic.tv (NY).

Sunday, December 21, 2003

Minimalist Techno Music and more...

Chomp down on a huge slice of much sought-after techno and minimal techno from all over Europe and Detroit every Sunday from 8-12pm EST at this DJ-run "pirate" station on the lower east streets of NYC. Find your timezone and tune in tonight.EAST VILLAGE RADIO (NYC).

Thursday, December 18, 2003

Billy Bussey

An architect, cum video producer, cum 3-D animator, cum total Flash-head. And, Mom, you won't believe what he can do with that computer now! Over-the-top effects, but still waiting on portfolio content at this posting.The digital portfolio of Billy Bussey.

Electric Moyo

This is the kind of website that makes we want to punch a wall and then vandalize some cars. But then again, who am I to complain -- that graffiti and hip hop culture have been appropriated to sell cars to the yout'? No, I'm not bitter... In a way, it's an affirmation of death. And that is cleansing. So, onto the next new thing - quickly - before Nissan finds out and makes an annoying commercial about it.Electric Moyo.

enamel

A certain jaw-dropping beauty exists when fashion, design and art come together as they do in the work of this designer from Japan. There's lots to view, from ephemeral, colorful and rich pattern designs, unique couture hand-bags, and porcelain shopping bag handles and tea-cups.enamel (Japan).

Stephen Bliss

An illustrator and designer specializing in powerful, eye-popping designs. Did some of the Rockstar Games Vice City street posters, and his portfolio includes some great two and three color poster and print work.Stephen Bliss.

Ohnangman

A super campy story starring what looks like the "Three Amigos" of the ghost hunter world. Fun, full-on movie site. If you can't read Korean, click on the fan.Ohnangman.

Wednesday, December 17, 2003

Marion Deuchars

Great portfolio of illustration and printed designs from an acclaimed designer whom you'll probably recognize -- by his handwriting style rather than by face.Marion Deuchars (UK).

A truly bold font-shopping experience. Fine fonts combined with the full-on feeling of being seated at a typographers drafting table or letterpress at the printers. Get up close and personal with the work of Fred Smeijers.OurType. Fine Typography from Europe.

Mediumphobic

This illustrator/painter dreams up a range of fantastic sea-creatures from a prehistoric period and endows them with an almost human quality - of the kind usually seen in graffiti characters. It's all in the lazy eyes and small details.Mediumphobic.

KELAMALI

This is a small, but very cool, photo journal and presentation of the modern day sights and sounds of Kela, at the heart of the history of Mali, which is in turn the center of music and the mandingan language. Great origial animations on the photos.KELAMALI : La Bibliotheque du Mandi.

Tuesday, December 16, 2003

Unvisible

The portfolio of illustrator Bryan Collins, who has done lot of editorial work. Great composition with fantastically themed black and white illustrations.Unvisible (Brooklyn, NYC).

Carrot Top

One can never get enough of this fit, sexy red-head.Carrot Top. Design by Honest.

We've posted them before, but they're always worth another look -- mainly because there's always lots of new interesting work being done at this prolific design and fashion house.mongrel associates.

Monday, December 15, 2003

EGILL HARDAR

Something different, something in a different language, something from a different mood... and place... and time. Indy portfolio from beyond. Mostly print, with some real golden nuggets.EGILL HARDAR.

LOGO R.I.P.

Where do old logos go to die? Why, to the logo graveyard of course. LOGO R.I.P.

FAESTHETIC

And now, 194 pages of great black & white designs from over 80 artists. Buy the yearly magazine and get a free t-shirt. Featuring work from Skullz Press and Thistype. Sponsored by 55dsl.Link: FAESTHETIC (No.3).

Friday, December 12, 2003

d u n u n

This agency site is endowed with a large portfolio with great illustration work, set against a natural backdrop of indepedent animal and vegetal lives, shooting stars, fireflies and set to music by drummers, cicadas and crickets. It has a really nice soft flash navigation, with an extremely intuitive UI and overall gives a superb visual impression.d u n u n (France).

Roger Carter Holiday Sale

A holiday sale is in effect on ltd. ed. Roger Carter T-shirts. The next line is rumored to arrive in Spring. Grab these last few on sale.Roger Carter T-shirts (NYC, Brooklyn).

Thursday, December 11, 2003

Mythology: The Art of Alex Ross

Not just for comic book fans... Capture the breathtaking realism of Alex Ross's superhero portraits in this new coffee table book. Only $21.00.Mythology: The Art of Alex Ross (Amazon).

Honest

Lots of changes going on at Honest. Looks like they have a new magazine out, an interesting competition, and lots of new work. Always keeping us honest.Honest.

H*BAT

A totally goofy Danish site with that cargo graphic feel. Great little interstitial character animations of the funky cow.H*BAT (Denmark).

peter krasilnikoff

A very nice minimalist photography showcase. And the Flash use is not annoying, which says a lot.peter krasilnikoff (Denmark).

A hot studio of architects, art directors and directors working across multiple media in creative capacities. A great full-bleed site. Lots of strong visual punch and an immenently impressive portfolio.[ t r o n i c ].

Wednesday, December 10, 2003

Zé Fernando

This self-professed video game geek and computer coder loves his 64 bit games and old-school pixel pushing. Mainly into Flash, as demonstrated by this very tightly produced site, Zé offers up samples of work, games, type and Flash experiments, and several free pixel fonts (PC only guys).Zé Fernando (Brazil).

Juniatwork - Giulia Balladore

This "personal space" is home to one of the finest -- almost photographic quality -- vector-based portrait artists that we know. If you've seen her stuff before, there's a few more addditions at this update. Juniatwork - Giulia Balladore.

A rich media portfolio experience with over-the-top and professional caliber work in broadcast, graphics, fashion and a little bit of "new wave" psychedelics thrown in for good measure. Updated. Hello Logan (L.A., USA).

Buck

Here's a little bling bling for your peepers. A small studio team with a large broadcast and online portfolio that seems to be comprised of clients from previous employments.Buck (L.A., USA).

"Crumb-y" Fonts

Gritty urban billboards, crossed with a Robert Crumb-esque cartoon appeal -- the "umpteeth" revision of the letterror site gives a lot of old-school visual stimulation and great type inspiration.LettError: Typography, Fonts and Type.

Rice 5 Workshop

A highly original "mixed media" virtual portfolio tour. If the creatives behind Rice 5 don't change this site in a year or two it will probably still be at the top of our list for best interactive portfolio. Get on a fast computer and check out Hong Kong from the eyes of these designers and Flash programmers. Really hot stuff.Rice 5 Workshop (HK, China).

a-icard

A minimalist Flash portfolio, trimmed down to only work snapshops and a couple other Flash-driven items. Pure showcase for a pure Flash-head.a-icard (France).

A clean, quaint site for the illustrator of classic children's books. Most kids in the U.S. grew up reading at least one of his books.ShelSilverstein.com.

Clone Wars

Here's a modern cartoon based on a classic we all know. This site arrives with the full color spectrum, literally, using thousands of colors and splashy, framed pages.Star Wars: Clone Wars on Cartoon Network.

And you can find more global indy 'folios at "New Bloods" -- veritable kids who in between school and SMS'ing their girlfriend naughty messages find time to create cool portfolios.

"Free" Logotypes

100's of of widely known corporate logos in eps format for the downloading. This repository makes no claims to ownership -- it just takes the time out of hunting for and re-drawing popular logos over and over again. Send yours in.Free Logotypes.

Friday, December 05, 2003

Christian Dior Couture

A very delicious, delicate and erotic visual experience. The new Dior Couture site wets the appetite -- each section explodes in brilliant color and dimention with the force of, well, a splash page. In the world of web, this is definitively, the couture design.Christian Dior Couture.

Da 'Thread: While you're in the mood, buy yourself a "J'adore Pop" t-shirt from Roger Carter - now on Holiday Sale until January 1st - and turn heads everywhere.

Thursday, December 04, 2003

tartart & pauskruske

Yet another PDF design magazine... and why not? Publishing still costs way too much, and the design ego is far too big for any editorial control... In fact, it's way out of control... Look out!... Gah! A nice compendium of flippable pages.tartart & pauskruske.

VLA Volunteer Lawyers

You just received a letter from a lawyer, for say, using a particular phrase in your product or design, and you think it infringes on your Freedom of Speech... who you gonna call? If you're a starving artist, you call VLA - the first ammendment buster-busters. And a nice site to boot.VLA Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts.

Wednesday, December 03, 2003

International Herald Tribune

One of the better looking newsites. Why not emulate the browser feel if users are going to be spending time within the browser reading articles?International Herald Tribune.

SuperDeux

Like most foreign appropriations of NYC styles, the syntax is less important than the attitude. Yep, it's time to get "fonky fresh" with this bold media portfolio showcasing a super-charged range of skillz.SuperDeux.

TOCA ME

Pardon our cynicism and hypocrisy (just this once, okey?), but we didn't realize that these masturbatory conferences were still going on. At least this one coincides with a magazine launch, which is never a small feat.TOCA ME.

baseline

How many more clean, pure, blissfully peaceful-looking sites can we list on Digitalthread? Welp, if they keep makin' em... we will cumm.baseline magazine.

Monday, December 01, 2003

Unit 1391

A pretty interesting range of work from logos through to interior design for restaurants. Interface with its transitional reveals stradles the line between minimal, progressive cool and frustratingly boring.Unit 1391 (Copenhagen, Denmark).